Technology

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• Next year’s iPhone 17 Air may contain Apple’s own modem
• This component could have some near-term performance drops
• But it might also pave the way for a new era of Apple products

Apple is on the verge of what could be the most significant iPhone revamp in years, with a speculated “iPhone 17 Air” slimming down the phone to unheard-of proportions when it’s expected to launch next year. It parallels past Apple devices where thinness has been a priority, but will the iPhone 17 Air become a powerhouse like the MacBook Air or a flop like the 12-inch MacBook?

Key to this dilemma is the most unlikely of components: the iPhone’s modem. Rumors have been flying that Apple is building its own mobile modem and could include it in iPhones as soon as early next year. But there could be a noticeable performance hit to your phone calls and internet connections, with The Information reporting that “its peak speeds are lower and its ability to stay connected to cellular networks is slightly less reliable” compared to the modems in existing iPhones.

Does that mean the iPhone 17 Air will be a device that makes costly sacrifices on the altar of thinness and lightness? There have certainly been some people who have pre-emptively warned of a new “antennagate,” harking back to the call connection scandal that plagued the iPhone 4.

It’s probably too early to make comparisons like that – even if The Information’s report is correct. We don’t know whether the performance difference between old and new modems will even be noticeable, let alone disastrous. However, it illustrates how Apple’s move could prove risky but rewarding.

MacBook Air or 12-inch MacBook?

(Image credit: Future)

Past reports, including those from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman and Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, have made it clear that the modem switch-up is a long-term project for Apple. While the company is seemingly willing to accept performance costs in the short term, the long-term goal is to lessen Apple’s reliance on third-party manufacturers and cut costs.

Apple’s chip team is one of the best in the world, and judging by the roaring success of its Apple silicon chips, we have little to worry about long-term when it comes to Apple-made modems.

If that contention proves correct, the iPhone 17 Air could follow in the footsteps of another svelte experiment come good: the MacBook Air. When Apple launched the MacBook Air in 2008, it was an astonishing creation that redefined the meaning of thin and light. Sure, it had its drawbacks – low power output, restrictive internal storage, disappointing speakers – but in the years since Apple has improved all of those aspects to such an extent that it’s now one of the best laptops you can buy. Its cut-down frame had its detractors, but it’s proved to be more of a help than a hindrance.

But there’s also a risk that the iPhone 17 Air could turn out like another slimline Apple laptop: the 12-inch MacBook. This device was the ultimate expression of Apple’s obsession with minimalism: it was almost impossibly thin and light, but it came at the cost of power – its thermal envelope was so restrictive that Apple could only outfit it with a mobile processor, despite its eye-wateringly high price. Unsurprisingly, it flopped and was withdrawn from sale just a few years later.

We’ll have a better idea of what direction the iPhone 17 Air goes in when it is expected to arrive next fall, but the real test will be seeing how both it and its successors fare in the years to come. Apple will no doubt be hoping that it takes after the MacBook Air, not the 12-inch MacBook.

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• New report reveals widespread employee monitoring sensors
• Some students have already successfully resisted them
• These sensors enable “intrusive behavioral monitoring and profiling”

A new study led by Cracked Labs has warned physical office spaces have become hubs of surveillance, where sensors and wireless technology monitor employees’ movements and behaviors to keep track of office use and productive output.

“As offices… become networked environments, there is a growing desire among employers to exploit data gathered from their existing digital infrastructure," the study notes.

While data collection can serve genuinely useful operational purposes, it can also include personal data about employees, raising privacy concerns.

Offices are being used to track workers

Cracked Labs, together with AlgorithmWatch, Jeremias Prassl (Oxford), UNI Europa and GPA as collaborators, noted how networking companies like Cisco and Juniper, can track individuals’ movements via devices connected to the Wi-Fi.

Such systems can be useful for optimizing office spaces and improving safety, however granular tracking such as monitoring when employees enter and leave a room, desk occupancy patterns and time spent in specific areas could be used to employees’ detriment.

The report also highlights software company Spacewell’s use of under-desk and ceiling-mounted motion sensors, door sensors and AI-based visual sensors, which are intended to provide a live data floorplan but instead pose a significant employee privacy risk.

The consequences have been worker protests and media debates, with some headline examples including the UK’s Daily Telegraph and banking giant Barclays. Additionally, students at Northeastern University successfully resisted the deployment of motion sensors, citing concerns that they were “intimidating” and “unnecessary.”

In summary, Cracked Labs accuses companies that employ such monitoring technologies of “intrusive behavioral monitoring and profiling.” The Austrian nonprofit also states that, by normalizing these types of sensors in everyday environments, it enables them to “creep into other purposes.”

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• Recall has a number of bugs in initial testing (unsurprisingly)
• One glitch means it isn’t saving snapshots
• The cure for that is to reboot the PC (and it’s the fix for another bug, too)

Windows 11’s controversial Recall feature is finally in play – well, in testing anyway – and some folks are encountering glitches, one of which has an age-old solution provided by Microsoft. Yes – turn it off, then turn it back on again.

As a quick reminder, when Recall was first revealed it caused a major storm on the privacy and security fronts, being an AI-driven powerful search feature (for Copilot+ PCs) that takes regular screenshots (called snapshots) of the activity on your PC (leveraging those grabs for its natural language search powers). It was then pulled, and delayed several times, before eventually being put back on the table by Microsoft last week.

One of the main problems some initial testers of Recall are now experiencing is a failure to save snapshots at all, as Tom Warren of The Verge complains about on Bluesky, as flagged by TweakTown.

CNBC further observed that right now, Recall can go for “several minutes” between taking the screenshots it uses to power its AI search, which can leave gaps in its timeline of snapshots, potentially weakening those search powers.

Microsoft has acknowledged the issue with snapshots being delayed, or not appearing at all, and advises a restart of the PC to cure the latter glitch.

In the known issues for the preview build carrying Recall (in the Dev channel for Windows Insiders), Microsoft advises: “Some users experience a delay before snapshots first appear in the timeline while using their device. If snapshots do not appear after 5 minutes, reboot your device. If saving snapshots is enabled, but you see snapshots are no longer being saved, reboot your device.”

Turn it off. Turn it on again.

(Image credit: fizkes / Shutterstock) Analysis: Expected problems

Recall has only just been deployed into testing, and with such a complex feature, we can expect teething problems. You might argue that Microsoft has been further working on Recall since the functionality was pulled from release in June, when it was originally supposed to arrive (in preview for Copilot+ PCs) – so shouldn’t it be pretty well polished by now?

It’s not as simple as that, though, as obviously a good deal of changes have been implemented in that time – shoring up various security and privacy elements – and so all that fresh work needs to be put through its paces. And only limited (internal) testing has been conducted up until now, which only goes so far.

Other notable issues according to Microsoft include Recall not working with some accessibility apps, and the feature telling you to ‘Make sure Recall is saving snapshots’ when snapshots are, in fact, turned on. That latter problem is again resolved by rebooting your PC, apparently. So, we’re back to that old chestnut – turn it off, then on again.

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• Researchers found two flaws in a popular WordPress plugin
• Flaws allow threat actors to install malicious plugins and run arbitrary code
• A patch is already available, so WordPress users should update now

A major anti-spam plugin for top website builder WordPress carried a pair of critical severity vulnerabilities which allowed threat actors to install plugins at will, and even execute arbitrary code, remotely.

The bugs have since been patched, and users are advised to deploy them as soon as possible.

The vulnerable plugin is called “Spam protection, Anti-Spam, and Firewall”, and was built by CleanTalk, a company developing spam protection for WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, and other website builders.

Popular plugin

The plugin carried two flaws: one tracked as CVE-2024-10542, and one tracked as CVE-2024-10781. The first has a severity score of 9.8 - critical, while the second 8.1 - high.

The former is an unauthorized Arbitrary Plugin Installation bug, that occurs due to an authorization bypass via reverse DNS spoofing on the checkWithoutToken function. As a result, unauthenticated attackers get to install and activate arbitrary plugins which, in some scenarios, can be leveraged to achieve remote code execution.

The latter, on the other hand, is an unauthorized Arbitrary Plugin Installation that occurs due to an missing empty value check on the 'api_key' value in the 'perform' function. The results are the same - achieving remote code execution in certain scenarios (when another vulnerable plugin is installed and activated).

Spam protection, Anti-Spam, and Firewall is a major WordPress plugin, installed on more than 200,000 websites, at press time. The bug was first spotted by a researcher with the alias ‘mikemyers’ who reported their findings to WordFence, a project that researches WordPress vulnerabilities.

WordFence reached out to CleanTalk in late October 2024 who, a few days later, came forward with a patch. “We would like to commend the CleanTalk team for their prompt response and timely patch,” WordFence said.

Users are urged to update their sites with the latest patched version, which was 6.45.2 at press time.

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Netflix has dropped the main trailer for the highly anticipated Squid Game season 2 a month ahead of its release on December 26. One of the best streaming services has been teasing the arrival of the follow-up series, and now we've had a full glimpse at what to expect when the smash-hit Korean drama series returns.

Squid Game set the bar high with season 1, but if this gripping new trailer is anything to go by, it looks like the follow-up has the potential to be just as good. The trailer has even teased that a mother and son have entered the game together, suggesting there'll be more heartbreaking scenes to come. I can't see it moving from our best Netflix shows round-up any time soon.

None of us have recovered from that traumatic game of marbles, where people were told to choose a partner for a game only to find out that one of them would be killed, and putting together literal family members definitely suggests they won't be getting a happy ending.

Take a look at the trailer below.

What do we know about Squid Game season 2?

Instead of running off with his prize money and living it up, Gi-hun has decided to give up on his trip to the US and get revenge on the game masters instead. As the sole survivor in his group of participants, Gi-hun wants to take down the games from the inside as he heads back into the ominous children's games, where a fresh group of desperate hopefuls are gathered to win the prize of ₩45.6 billion.

We will see some familiar faces returning too, as a previous teaser revealed that fan-favorite Gong Yoo would be back. Lee Byung-hun also returns as the Front Man, where he'll be overseeing a host of new stars. Last time, there were 456 contestants and with Gi-hun back in his old number, we are expecting the number to be the same again.

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• Dell and HP both expect poor revenue growth in next quarters
• Computing giants say consumer market outlook for PCs is weak
• A shift to AI PCs may signal shift in outlook, however

Two of the world's largest PC makers have signalled caution for growth over the next few months as the demand for new devices declines.

Despite seeing its most recent quarterly revenue rise 10% year-over-year to $24.4 billion, Dell is now predicting its next and final fiscal quarter will see revenue stagnate around the $24-25 billion mark, with much of the uncertainty coming from weak consumer demand.

HP also announced its quarterly revenue had fallen 0.3% year-over-year, with CEO Enrique Lores stating the company is preparing to “capitalize on the commercial opportunity” given the same weak consumer demand it faces, too.

HP and Dell struggles

Together, the two companies account for more than a third (35.2%) of the global PC market (via Canalys), putting them in second and third place. In first place is Lenovo, which saw quarterly revenue increase 24% year-over-year earlier this month. It occupies nearly a quarter (24.8%) of the market.

For HP, its revenue decrease was heavily influenced by a drop in Consumer Personal Systems revenue, which was down 4%. To that tune, Commercial Personal Systems revenue was up 5%, highlighting the strong business-to-business market.

Dell’s Consumer Client Solutions Group revenue was down a more worrying 18%, with its Commercial counterpart up just 3%. Its Commercial business is also about five times greater than its Consumer business in terms of monetary value.

COO Jeff Clarke said that artificial intelligence, an emerging technology that shows “no signs of slowing down,” represents an opportunity for the company.

However, while the outlook might not be great for the two companies, research firm Canalys reckons “modest” growth in the consumer market could be seen over the festive period, with companies forced to enact promotions.

Following the disappointing news, shares in HP fell 8% in extended trading, with Dell shares down 10% in a mark of lost investor confidence.

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December is a month where we can settle down with friends and family to finally get through those watchlists full of movies and TV shows that are surely piling high by now. Fortunately, Netflix is happy to oblige by dropping a whole load of new content for streamers to enjoy.

It's not as festively fancy as you may imagine for this time of year, especially compared to the titles that joined the platform during the November 2024 schedule. For December, there's a real lack of Christmas additions, but have no fear, there's still a mix of content aside from the usual best Netflix movies to enjoy, with comedy specials, documentaries, live events, and even a music special from Sabrina Carpenter joining Netflix next month.

While we're disappointed by the lack of Christmas classics coming to one of the best streaming services, we are excited for Netflix's new Christmas spy thriller, Black Doves, and one of the best Netflix shows returning for season 9, Queer Eye. Let's take a look at what the streamer has to offer as 2024 draws to a close.

Everything new on Netflix in December 2024

Arriving on December 1

Bunk’d season 7 (TV show)
Burlesque (movie)
Daddy Day Care (movie)
The Happytime Murders (movie)
Little (movie)
Midway (movie)
Project X (movie)
We’re the Millers (movie)
Zero Dark Thirty (movie)

Arriving on December 2

30 for 30: Bad Boys (TV show)
30 for 30: Celtics/Lakers: The Best of Enemies (TV show)
30 for 30: Sole Man (TV show)
30 for 30: This Magic Moment (TV show)
30 for 30: This Was the XFL (TV show)
30 for 30: Winning Time: Reggie Miller vs. The New York (TV show)

Arriving on December 3

Fortune Feimster: Crushing It (comedy special)

Arriving on December 4

The Children’s Train (movie)
Churchill at War (documentary)
The Only Girl in the Orchestra (documentary)
Tomorrow and I (TV show)
That Christmas (movie)
The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On season 3 (TV show)

Arriving on December 5

BEASTARS final season: part 1 (TV show)
Black Doves (TV show)
Compliance (movie)
Jentry Chau vs the Underworld (TV show)
Subservience (movie)
Top Chef: Boston (TV show)
Top Chef: Kentucky (TV show)
Top Chef: Seattle (TV show)

Arriving on December 6

A Nonsense Christmas with Sabrina Carpenter (music special)
Biggest Heist Ever (documentary)
Camp Crasher (movie)
Echoes of the Past (TV show)
Mary (movie)

Arriving on December 9
The Great British Baking Show: Holidays season 7 (TV show)
Rubble and Crew season 1 (TV show)

Arriving on December 10

Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was… (comedy special)
Polo (TV show)
Rugged Rugby: Conquer or Die (TV show)

Arriving on December 11

The Kings of Tupelo: A Southern Crime Saga (documentary)
Makayla’s Voice: A Letter to the World (documentary)
Maria (movie)
One Hundred Years of Solitude: Part 1 (TV show)
Queer Eye season 9 (TV show)

Arriving on December 12

La Palma (TV show)
No Good Deed (TV show)

Arriving on December 13

1992 (TV show)
Carry-On (movie)
Disaster Holiday (movie)

Arriving on December 16

The Dead Don’t Die (movie)
The Equalizer seasons 1-3 (TV show)

Arriving on December 17

Aaron Rodgers: Enigma (TV show)
Ronny Chieng: Love To Hate It (comedy special)

Arriving on December 18

Julia's Stepping Stones (documentary)
The Manny season 2 (TV show)

Arriving on December 19

The Dragon Prince season 7 (TV show)
Project Runway seasons 18 & 19 (TV show)
Virgin River season 6 (TV show)

Arriving on December 20

Ferry 2 (movie)
The Six Triple Eight (movie)
Umjolo: Day Ones (movie)
UniverXO Dabiz (documentary)

Arriving on December 21

Flipping Out seasons 6-8 (TV show)

Arriving on December 24

Your Friend Nate Bargatze (comedy special)

Arriving on December 25

NFL on Christmas: Baltimore Ravens vs. Houston Texans (live event)
NFL on Christmas: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (live event)

Arriving on December 26

Squid Game season 2 (TV show)

Arriving on December 28

Maestro in Blue season 3 (TV show)

Arriving on December 30

Mad Max: Fury Road (movie)

Arriving on December 31

Avicii - I'm Tim (documentary)
Avicii - My Last Show (movie)
Evil season 3 (TV show)
Michelle Buteau: A Buteau-ful Mind at Radio City Music Hall (comedy special)
The Millionaire Matchmaker seasons 5-7 (TV show)

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• ESET discovers two zero-day vulnerabilities that can lead to remote code execution
• The researchers spot Russian hackers abusing the flaws to deploy backdoors
• Fixes for both flaws are already available to download

A Russian advanced persistent threat (APT) group known as RomCom has been exploiting two zero-day vulnerabilities to hit its victims with potent backdoor malware, security experts have said.

ESET said its researchers first found a use-after-free bug in the animation timeline feature in Firefox. Since the bug forces the browser to use memory that has already been freed, it can lead to all sorts of undefined behavior, including executing code in the restricted context of the browser. This bug was discovered on October 8, and was assigned CVE-2024-9680. It was fixed a day later, on October 9.

Further investigation led to the discovery of a second vulnerability, this time in Windows, tracked as CVE-2024-49039, WHICH allows previously authenticated crooks to run arbitrary code in the system. By chaining the two vulnerabilities together, the attackers were able to deploy backdoors on target devices.

Targeting Europe and North America

In practice, thIS means embedding a website with code that is capable of exploiting the vulnerabilities, redirect the victims to a server where the backdoor is hosted, and have the operating system infected. The worst part is that the attack is “zero-click” - meaning besides visiting the malicious website, the exploit requires no interaction from the victim’s side.

While ESET does not discuss how many people, or entities, fell victim to the attack, they say that the majority of victims tracked between October 10 and November 4 were located in Europe and North America.

It is also worth pointing out that patches for both flaws have been available for more than a month now, and the best way to defend against the attack is to have Firefox, Thunderbird, and the Tor Browser (which were all said to have been vulnerable) all patched, together with Windows.

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